Thermodynamics
Undergraduate · Engineering
Syllabus focus
Standard syllabus · STEM / applied
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Topics typically covered
Standard syllabus
Concepts and first law
- Systems, properties, state, and equilibrium
- Zeroth law and temperature scales
- Work and heat as path-dependent interactions
- First law for closed and open systems
- Enthalpy, internal energy, and specific heats
- Property tables: steam and ideal gas models
- Ideal gas law and compressibility factor intro
- Boundary work for piston-cylinder processes
- Cycle analysis: net work and thermal efficiency
- Steady-flow devices: nozzles, diffusers, turbines
Second law and entropy
- Heat engines, refrigerators, and heat pumps
- Kelvin-Planck and Clausius statements
- Reversible versus irreversible processes
- Carnot cycle and Carnot efficiency limits
- Entropy definition and Clausius inequality
- Isentropic processes and T-s diagrams
- Entropy generation and second-law efficiency
- Isentropic efficiency of turbines and compressors
- Third law and absolute entropy (intro)
- Exergy and irreversibility accounting (overview)
STEM / applied
Power and refrigeration cycles
- Rankine cycle: ideal and practical steam power
- Brayton cycle: gas turbine power plants
- Otto and Diesel cycles for internal combustion
- Combined cycles and cogeneration concepts
- Vapor-compression refrigeration cycle
- Absorption refrigeration (survey)
- Psychrometrics: moist air properties and charts
- HVAC processes on psychrometric charts
- Combustion stoichiometry and adiabatic flame temp
- Environmental impact: emissions and efficiency trade-offs
Applied thermodynamics in engineering practice
- Property estimation when tables are unavailable
- Software: EES, REFPROP, or similar property tools
- Energy audits and Sankey diagram interpretation
- Renewable integration effects on thermodynamic cycles
- FE thermodynamics topic mapping and drills
- Safety: pressure vessels and relief sizing awareness
- Lab demos: heat engine models and calorimetry
- Design problems: cycle modification for efficiency
- Real-fluid departures from ideal-gas behavior
- Case studies: power plant, engine, and HVAC systems
Notes
Topics reflect common engineering syllabi at US colleges and universities. Exact order, depth, and applied emphasis vary by institution, department, and instructor.